The Israel Defense Forces deployed its new, fully automatic artillery howitzer last week during combat operations in Lebanon.
The 155-mm Ro’em cannon was used to attack Hezbollah anti-tank positions that were launching strikes on maneuvering Israeli forces, the IDF said in a statement.
The IDF characterized the artillery system’s first mission as an operational success.
The Ro’em, Hebrew for “Thunderer,” is mounted on a wheeled truck chassis and can fire more than eight rounds per minute from a 40-round onboard magazine while keeping its three-person crew protected in an armored cab, IDF officials said.
“The Roem brings with it a lot of new capabilities compared to the existing cannon. Both mobility, full automation, and the ability to operate as part of a maneuver deep in enemy territory,” an IDF officer, identified for security reasons as “Lt. Col. B,” said in a statement. “It shoots farther and more accurately, which makes it real news.”
A precarious 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon went into effect late on April 16. Some displaced families are continuing to return to southern Lebanon. However, the humanitarian crisis there is far from over, according to the U.N.
While both sides agreed to halt a “proactive strike,” Israel said it would reserve the right to act against “imminent threats.” IDF troops remain in occupied positions in South Lebanon.
The Ro’em system is expected to replace the older, U.S.-built M109 155-mm self-propelled tracked howitzers. An M109 crew physically loads the artillery round and propellant charge into the cannon barrel while adding a fuze to determine if it will detonate in the air or on the ground. That is handled automatically in the Ro’em system.
Company officials said the Ro’em system can move to a new firing position and be ready in less than a minute. The three-soldier crew never has to leave the safety of the armored cab.
The cannon is mounted on a heavy truck that can move independently without a driver, enabling more agile movement between different firing positions, IDF officials said.
“It’s a big truck, but smarter,” Lt. Col. B said. “A lot of the work that used to be manual, today is done automatically.”
The cannon is mounted on a heavy truck that can move independently without a driver, enabling more agile movement between different firing positions, IDF officials said.
“It’s a big truck, but smarter,” Lt. Col. B said. “A lot of the work that used to be manual, today is done automatically.”
The Ro’em has an operational range of 25 miles, compared to about 19 miles for the M109s. It can fire multiple rounds at different trajectories so they hit the same target at once, IDF officials said.
“Ultimately, we are working to integrate the new capabilities into all fire units in the army, and to adapt them not only for today’s battlefield, but also for the future,” Lt. Col. B said.
The Ro’em howitzer, known as SIGMA in the U.S., was developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems and manufactured in South Carolina by its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America. The truck base is built by Oshkosh Defense, a Wisconsin-based provider of tactical wheeled vehicles.
“We are confident Elbit America’s commitment to building for the best will result in cutting-edge defense systems for America and our allies,” Rep. Nancy Mace, South Carolina Republican, said in a statement. “There’s no better place for this work to be done than right here in South Carolina.”
The howitzer is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant, and fuze while positioning itself for an artillery mission, company officials said.
Elbit Systems of America is positioning the SIGMA as the primary candidate for the U.S. Army’s Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program.
Analysts say the company’s factory in North Charleston, South Carolina, is essentially a “job interview” for a multi-billion dollar U.S. contract.
“SIGMA was designed to deliver real overmatch, so soldiers can fight, survive, and win in the most contested environments,” said Luke Savoie, president of Elbit America.
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